Fabric-printing machine.



G. BERTHET & V. BERTHONNET.

v FABRIC PRINTING MACHINE. APPLIOATI'OH FILED JULY 19, 1906.

900,978, Patented Oct. 13,1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. BBRTI-IET & V. BERTHONNET. FABRIC PRINTING MACHINE. APPLICATION nun) JULY 19. 1906.

900,978, I Patented Oct. 13,1908.

v2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

25 2 I 25 I s 25 g I i f g I 7 22 10' 77 21 3o" 27 7 I, vi 5 27 f5 '20 19 '0 1 UL'MEI' nnrrn STATES PATENT nn on.

GEORGES BERTHET AND VICTOR BERTHONNET, OF ST. JULIEN, NEAR TROYES, FRANQE, ASSIGNORS TO STE. AME. DE BLANOHIMENT, TEINTURES, IMPRESSIONS ET APPRETS DE ST. JULIEN, OF ST. JULIEN, NEAR TROYES, FRANCE.

FABRIC-PRINTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 19,

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

1906. Serial No. 326,884.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGES BERTHET- cially designed and adapted for printing such designs or ornamentations upon tubular fabrics such, for example, as are employed in the manufacture of hosiery or the like, and the object of the invention is to provide a machine of this general character of a simple and comparatively inexpensive nature having improved means for maintaining the tubular fabric in accurate position during the printing operation to the end that uniformity of the printed design may be assured without rendering the printing operation undulyexpensive. 7

The invention consists in certain novel features of the constructionand combinations and arrangements of the several parts of the improved fabric printing machine, whereby certain important advantages are attained and the machine is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise better adapted and more convenient for use, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings which serve to illustrate our invention-Figure 1 is a diagraphic view of the machine embodying our improvements; Fig. 2 is a front view of the means for spreading the fabric, and Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken through the spreading means in the plane indicated by the line yy in Fig. 2.

To avoid complexity due to unnecessary details of construction we have shown in Fig. 1 a somewhat diagraphic representation of a fabric printing machineprovided with our improvements, wherein 1 designates the machine frame having suitable journal'bearings for the support of the several rolls including the impression rolls 2 and 3 the two series of printing rolls 4, 4 and 5, 5, coacting with the respective impression rolls for printing the opposite surfaces of the fabric and the carrier rolls 6, 6 and 7, 7 over which are passed the aprons 8 and 9 for conveying the fabric through the improved machine.

The carrier rolls 6, 6 and the apron 8 supported thereby, are arranged at the upper part of the machine and serve to convey the fabric to be printed around the upper impression roll 2 so that one surface of the fabric may be printed by means of the printing rolls 4, 4 which coact With said impression roll 2 While the carrier rolls 7, 7 and the apron 9 supported thereby are arranged at the lower part of the machine and serve to convey the fabric after the same shall have been carried around the upper impression roll 2 for the printing of one of its surfaces, and shall have been transferred to the lowermost impression roll 3, around said lowermost impression roll in order that the opposite surface of said fabiric may be printed by the operation of the corresponding printing rolls 5, 5 and thence out of the machine.

10 represents the tubular fabric during its course through the machine, there being guide rolls 1 1, 1 1 at the upper and lower parts of the machine over which the said fabric is passed on being fed to and delivered from the machine. At the central part of the machine, this fabric travels in contact with the aprons 8 and 9, being so passed over the im ression rolls that one of its faces is expose to the printing surfaces of the rolls 4, 4, coacting with the upper impression roll, while its opposite surface is exposed to the printing surfaces of the rolls 5, 5 coacting with the lower impression roll 3.

Above the uppermost impression roll 2 and arranged in'the path of the tubular fabric 10 are arranged certain spreading means 12 adapted for entry within the tubular fabric so that the two plies thereof are caused to travel in front of and behind said spreading means as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the construction of said spreading means being of such a nature that the two plies of the tubular fabric are uniformly and tightly stretched and laid flat one upon the other at the instant of contact of the tubular fabric with the upper impression roll, so that the said fabric is caused to be evenly stretched or laid upon the rolls 2 and 3, in order that the corresponding printing rolls may operate with accuracy to print the opposite sides of the fabric. The said spreading means 12 as herein shown, comprise flattened plates 14, 14, extended parallel with each other and spaced apart as shown in Fig. 2, in such a manner that their opposite or outer edges shall contact with the inner surface of the flattened tubular fabric at opposite sides thereof, in such a manner as to hold the same tightly strained in flattened form at the instant the said fabric is being su plied to the bight of the upper impression r01 2 with the corresponding upper printing roll4, the lower ends of said plates 14, 14 being loosely supported closely adjacent to the bight of said rolls as shown in Fig. 1.

The plates 14, 14 are held at their upper ends upon frames 15, 15 from which the outer er ge portions'of said plates 14, 14 project, and said frames are provided, respectively, with upper and lower tie or brace bars 16 and 17, which are extended between the respective frames and adjustably connected by loops or collars 18 and 19 so as to permit the tie or brace bars of one frame to slide lengthwise upon the corresponding bars of the other frame in order that the plates 14, 14 may be adjusted to standat different distances apart to accommodate the printing of tubular fabrics of different widths.

20 represents a screw shaft extended across the spreading means parallel with and beneath the lower tie or brace bars 17 and having its opposite ends reversely screw threaded and engaged in correspondingly screw threaded apertures in the respective collars 19, 19 each of which is secured to one of the respective tie or brace bars 17 which are embraced by said collars. By this construction it will be seen that the screw shaft 20 may be turned in order to adjust the frames 15, 15 toward or from each other for accommodating the spreading means to tubular fabrics of different widths. Set screws 21, are provided upon the collars 19, 19 to permit of locking the parts in relation when adjusted in position for use.

22, 22 represent spreading rollers arranged in pairs in front-of and behind the respective frames 15, 15 and adapted to project in front and behind said frames for engagement upon the inner surfaces of the plies of the tubular fabric in such a way as to separate said plies sufficiently, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, to permit the said plies to travel past the spreading means without danger of catching upon or wearing from contact with the upper parts of said spreading means.

23 represents a shaft extended across the machine in'front of the fabric and above the spreading means, 'the ends of said shaft being rev'ersely screw threaded and carrying screw collars or nuts 24, 24 which, when the shaft is turned in one direction or the other, are caused to approach or recede from one another. Said collars or nuts 24, 24 are arranged at opposite sides of the path of the fabric and their peripheries are grooved out to receive hook like members 25, .25 which. are secured to side frames 20, L26 which are braced by means of transverse bars or rods 27, 27 extended across the spare between said frames in front of and behind the path of the fabric, the ends of said brace rods or bars 27, 2'? being adjustsdily mmneeled with the frames as clearly shown in l ig. 2.

28, 28 represent supporting rollers or members which are carried at their ends by the frames 26, 26 and are extended transversely across the space between said frames in front of and behind the spreading means. These supporting rollers or members in are spared apart from each other at a distance such that the front and rear plies of the fabric shall rest upon said rollers at points below the spreading rollers 2, 2 as shown in .lfigs. 1 and 2} so as to effectively support the spreading device within the fabric without in any way interfering with the free movement of the fabric through the machine.

In order to prevent lateral displacement of the fabric during its passage over the impression rolls, we provide guide rollers '39, i so port-ed on studs carried by the plates 20, as said guide rollers having their peripheries arranged for contact upon the opposite edges of the fabric outside the spreader plates 1-1, 14 in such a way as to press lightly and evenly upon the fabric. These rollers 29, J9 and the parts by which they are supported will, of course, require to be adjusted in position corresponding with the adjustment of the parts of the spreading means.

In the operation of the 1111])10V(3(l machine, when the parts of the spreader and i is supporting and retaining means shall have been properly adjusted, the tubular fabric to be printed will be led down. into the machine over the upper roller 11, the lower open end of said tubular fabric being passed over the spreading means in such a manner that said spreading means are entirely inelosed within the fabric as shown in Figs. 1 and I and in broken lines in Fig. 2, whereby the plates 11, 14 are caused to maintain the two plies of the fabric tightly stretched and flattened in proper position to receive the impression from the several printing rolls.

The lower ends of the plates 14, 11, being closely adjacent to the bight of the upper impression roll with its upper printing roll 1, it is evident that said plates serve to guide the fabric to the point where it is gripped between said rolls and insures against any material variation in the width of the fabric as the same is laid upon the peripheries of the impression rolls in. position to be printed.

Having thus describedv our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by letters l7atent is 1. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means in combination with a spreading device comprising adjust-ably connected parts oppositely arranged for engagement at opposite sides of and adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric for spreading the opposite sides of the fabric apart from each other.

2. A machine of the character described com risin' fabric carr in and nrintin means, a spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the plies thereof, and rollers extended at opposite sides of the path of the tubular fabric and adapted'for contact with the plies thereof to move said plies toward each other to maintain the inclosed spreading device in position Within the tubular fabric.

3. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric and having spaced rollers adapted for contact upon opposite sides of the tubular fabric to spread the plies thereof, away from each other, and supporting means comprising parts arranged for contact with opposite sides of thetubular fabric to move the plies thereof toward each other to maintain the spreading device inclosed in the tubular fabric in position.

4. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed Within a tubular fabric and arranged in relation to said fabric carrying and printing means with opposite edge portions adapted to bear at opposite sides of the fabric to spread the same in two flattened plies, and parts arranged for engagement at the opposite edges of the fabric outside the edge portions of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

5. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreadin device adapted to be inclosed within a tubu ar fabric and ar ranged in relation to said fabric carrying and printing means with opposite edgeportions adapted to bear at opposite sides of the fabric to spread the same in two flattened plies, and rollers arranged for engagement at the opposite edges of the fabric outside the edge portions of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

6. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, and a spreading device adapted to be inclosed Within a tubular fabric and arranged in relation to said fabric carrying and printing means and comprising adjustably connected flattened plates the outer edge portions of which are adapted to be engaged at opposite sides of the tubular fabric to spread the same in flattened form.

7. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having opposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact with such plies of said tubular fabric, and supporting means comprising parts arranged for contact with the outer surfaces of such plies of said tubular fabric and extended parallel with the opposite flattened surfaces of said spreading device and adapted to move such plies of said tubular fabric toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within said tubular fabric.

8. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having opposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact with such plies of said tubular fabric, and rollers extended parallel with the opposite flattened surfaces of said spreading device and adapted for contact with the plies of said tubular fabric to move such plies toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within said tubular fabric.

9. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having opposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact with such plies of said tubular fabric, supporting means comprising spaced parts parallel with said opposite flattened surfaces of the spreading device and adapted for contact with the outer surfaces of said plies of the tubular fabric to move such plies toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within such tubular fabric, and other parts extended in the space between said supporting parts and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric at opposite edges of theflattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

10. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having opposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact at opposite edges of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

11. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having 0pposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact with such plies of said tubular fabric, supporting means comprising spaced parts parallel with said opposite flattened surfaces of the spreading device and adapted for contact with the outer surfaces of said plies of the tubular fabric to move such plies toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within said tubular fabric, and rollers extended in the space between said supporting parts and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric at opposite edges of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

12. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within the tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having opposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact with such plies of said tubular fabric, supporting means comprising spaced parts parallel with said opposite flattened surfaces of the spreading device and adapted for contact with the outer surfaces of said plies of the tubular fabric to move such plies toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within said tubular fabric, and rollers extended in the space between said supporting parts and adjustable toward and from each other and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric at opposite edges of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

13. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric and arranged in relation to said fabric carrying and printing means and comprising adjustably connected flattened parts the outer edges of which are adapted to be engaged at opposite sides of the tubular fabric to spread the same in two flattened plies, and parts arranged. for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric opposite to the outer edges of the respective parts of said spreading de vice to hold the fabric against displacement.

14. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a spreading device adapted to be in closed within a tubular fabric and, arranged in relation to the fabric carrying and printing means and comprising adjustably con nected flattened parts the outer edges of which are adapted to be engaged. at opposite sides of the tubular fabric to spread the same in two flattened plies, and parts adjustable toward and from each other and arranged for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric opposite to the outer edges of the respective parts of said spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

15. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric and arranged in relation to the fabric carrying and printing means and comprising adjustably connected flattened parts the outer edges of which are adapted to be engaged at op posite sides of the tubular fabric to spread the same in two flattened plies, and rollers arranged for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric opposite to the outer edges of the respective parts of said spreading device to hold said fabric against displacement.

16. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric and arranged in relation to the fabric carrying and printing means and comprising adjustably connected flattened parts the outer edges of which are adapted to be engaged at opposite sides of the tubular fabric to spread the same in two flattened plies, and rollers adjustable toward and from each other and arranged for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric opposite to the outer edges of the respective flattened parts of said spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

17. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having opposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact with such plies of said tubular fabric, supporting means comprising spaced rollers parallel with said opposite flattened surfaces of the spreading device andv adapted for contact with the outer surfaces of said plies of the tubular fabric to move such plies toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within such tubular fabric, and parts extended in the space between saidv supporting rollers and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric at opposite edges of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

18. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printingi porting means comprising spaced rollers parallel with said opposite flattened surfaces of the spreading device and adapted for contact with the outer surfaces of said plies of the tubular fabric to move such plies toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within such tubular fabric, and parts extended in the space between said supporting rollers and adjustable toward and from each other and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric at opposite edges of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

19. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having opposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact with such plies of said tubular fabric, supporting means comprising spaced rollers parallel with said opposite flattened surfaces of the spreading device and adapted for contact with the outer surfaces of said plies of the tubular fabric to move such plies toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within such tubular fabric, and other rollers extended in the space between the first-mentioned rollers and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric at opposite edge of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

20. A machine of the character described comprising fabric carrying and printing means, a flattened spreading device adapted to be inclosed within a tubular fabric to spread the same in two plies and having opposite flattened surfaces adapted for contact with such plies of said tubular fabric, supporting means comprising spaced rollers parallel with said opposite flattened surfaces of the spreading device and adapted for contact with the outer surfaces of said plies of the tubular fabric to move such plies toward each other to maintain the spreading device in position within such tubular fabric, and other rollers extended in the space. between the first-mentioned rollers and adjustable toward and from each other and adapted for engagement with the outer surface of the tubular fabric at oposite edges of the flattened spreading device to hold the fabric against displacement.

In witness whereof we have hereunto signed our names this 2 day of July 1906, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGES BERTHET. VICTOR BERTHONNET. Witnesses:

Gnonens SHoUDT, VICTOR RIDEAUTT. 

